Used by kayakers and rafters all year round, including as an outdoor adventure by Joint Base Lewis-McChord members, the White Salmon winds nearly 45 miles from its headwaters on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest through steep, forested canyons into the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and the Columbia River. (Photo provided by Wet Planet Rafting)

Dubbed America’s premier alpine whitewater river, the White Salmon River in south central Washington State was recently named as a top destination by the New York Times.

The clear, blue waters and unique beauty draw visitors to the river as well as giving some of them an opportunity for an exciting ride. Designated as a Wild and Scenic River on 29 miles of its length, continuous class I (easy), II (medium), and III (difficult) rapids with an occasional class IV (very difficult) keep boaters on their toes. The river is one of 119 wild and scenic rivers managed by the Forest Service.

Removal of the dam opened new spawning and rearing grounds for salmon and to steelhead, a sea-going rainbow trout and the best fighting fish in Pacific Northwest waters. In the summer of 2011, fish biologists moved more than 500 adult salmon upstream of the damwhich spawned in their new habitat. Their progeny can now swim down the White Salmon River unimpeded by the dam.

Service fisheries biologist Jeff Jolley with a returning White Salmon River fall Chinook Salmon. Removal of the 100-year-old Condit Dam opened new spawning and rearing grounds for salmon and to steelhead. (US Fish and Wildlife Service photo).

“One of the unique features of the White Salmon is hidden from humans,” said Forest Service river manager Sue Baker. “The rushing river is fed by springs found above Husum, at the base of canyon walls. A constant influx of cold water in summer is quite rare for rivers on the eastern side of the Cascades. The White Salmon ecosystem offers a diverse spread of aquatic organisms a home they might not find anywhere nearby.”

One of Baker’s jobs is to monitor the effects that boating use may have on the river. She works closely with a coalition of partners to educate river users on how to avoid salmon spawning areas, how to keep aquatic invasive species out of the river system, and the proper etiquette between long-time users, such as whitewater recreationalists and anglers, and the new users on the river.

3 Responses to “NY Times Names Forest Service-Managed River in Washington a Top Destination”

Great article, thank you for posting. Please note that the photo provided was taken by Wet Planet, of a group of rafters from our client Fort Lewis. Please include Wet Planet Rafting in your credits. Thank you!